“It is the same for everyone, but it is very intense, especially with a humidity level that exceeds 80% every day,” Djokovic is critical of the organization. In the sixteenth finals, Djokovic had to vomit several times during his duel with Yannick Hanfmann, the Dane Rune wondered aloud during his sixteenth final whether the players had to die on the court first before the ATP does something about the extreme conditions in which the tennis players have to play.
Vomiting, pain and heat do not affect Novak Djokovic (38) in Shanghai: Serbian fights to quarter finals
The Belgian Goffin, but also Casper Ruud, Tomas Machac and Terrence Athmane, among others, had to stop the fight in China early due to illness or injury. Was this because of the heat?
Who arranges for matches to be abandoned?
The tennis federation ATP, which is also responsible for the organization of many major tennis tournaments including the Shanghai Masters, responded in the meantime Reuters. According to them, the final decision on a possible suspension of the match lies with the responsible ATP supervisor. In cases of extreme heat, they say there are already protocols in place.
Tallon Greek Spoor after deception in Shanghai: ‘I chose a worthless sport’
But in the tennis world the call for intervention is becoming louder: “This way of working is still being actively assessed, including the implementation of an official heat policy. Consultations are currently underway on this with the players, organizations and medical experts,” ATP assures.
Tallon Greekpoor saw opponent Sinner give up in the third round in China on Sunday, after the Italian seemed to slip and suffered from cramps. “It has been extremely difficult conditions here in Shanghai all week,” the Dutchman said afterwards. “And then we were a bit lucky that we played in the evening, without the sun.”